Yalumba Sanctum Cabernet 2018

The Sanctum Cabernet is the bargain in Yalumba’s Coonawarra range providing strong regional characters although it is made for drinking relatively young. The 2018 vintage is the best yet under this label in a classic cool climate cabernet style with its bright acidity and sinewy tannins. Coonawarra traditionalists will love it.

There is good colour and then you are hit with an array of leafy, cedar and pine needle aromas under which there is pure cassis and old oak – so plenty of complexity. It then takes a more elegant turn on the palate with supple dark fruits and medium weight. Al dente tannins provide balance that will also help this proper cabernet to drink well over the next 3 or 4 years.

Angus Hughson

Founder at Winepilot

Angus is an award-winning wine writer and the Founder and Publisher of Winepilot, the Australian Editor for leading international publication VINOUS with Antonio Galloni based in New York City and the Co-Publisher of The Australian Ark with over 15 years of publishing, writing and judging experience.

Critic and publisher